635 

24 
>y 1 



NANCY'S NEICE" 

MUSICAL COMEDY-DRAMA 

THREE ACTS 



BY 

ELIZABETH STREET HART 



copyrighted 1916 

By Elizabeth Street Hart 

Hart Publishing Co., Abilene, Texas 



"NANCY'S NEICE" 



MUSICAL COMEDY-DRAMA 



THREE ACTS 



BY 

ELIZABETH STREET HART 



copyrighted 1916 
By Elizabeth Street Hart 



v^ x/>:V 



K 



^%^' 



NOV -3 1916 
©CID 45429 



"NANCY'S NEICE" 



CHARACTERS 

JIM WHITE— A Banker of Memphis, Tennessee. 

PEGGY WHITE— The beautiful young daughter of Jim ^Vhite. 

BERT LEONARD — A young man of wealth and Peggy's sweet- 
heart, the man her father wants her to marry. 
(Col. Baltin and Bert Leonard can double up play the same 
part.) 

COL. BALTIN — A rich old rascal to come on in last Act. He 
holds papers over Jim White and offers to marry Peggy 
and lift the debt. 

DORA SMITH— Jim White's cook. 

ESSIE GRAHAM— Peggy's maid. 

NANCY BROWN— Jim White's sister. 

ZEBE BROWN — Nancy's husband — the Browns live in a little 
country village. 

JOE BENTLEY — An orphan boy the Browns raised. Joe falls 
in love with Peggy when she makes them a visit. 

ELLEN JONES — Old maid, best to have her tall with cork 
screw curls, dressed old style. 

JENNIE TATE— Married dame. 

POLLY SPRINGER — Curls and old style dress, old maid. 

SYMANTHY HIGGINS— Married dam.e, dressed plain. 

SISTER— PERKINS— Minister's wife. Plain dresp. 

JOHN GREY— Jim White's butler. ' ' ' , 



COSTUMES 

WHITE— (Aged fifty) Grayish wig and genteel business suit. 

PEGGY — (Age seventeen). Spring coat suit suitable for trav- 
eling. Nice little hat to match; ginham apron and bon- 
net. Fine evening dress to be worn after Peggy's arrival 
at Nancy's. Pretty house dress to be worn in her city 
home after five years. 

COL EALTIN— (Age sixty), gray wig and side v/hiskers, frock 
coat, high hat; is a shrewd smooth spoken man; cold and 
cynical in his manner. 

NANCY — (Age forty-five). Gingham dress and white apron, 
country costumes, old fashion; emphasis should be placed 
upon speech and action rather than upon costumes to 
indicate peculiarities; (black dress, silk very out of date 
to be worn just after her arrival in city Avhen she goes 
shopping with Peggy). The dress that Peggy buys — her 
new style black silk, full skirt, rather short; high hee] 
shoes, silk hose; little hat very stylish. 

BROWN — (Age fifty), grayish red wig and chin whiskers, sun- 
burned complexion, patched pants, too short; short sack 
coat, colored shirt, brown socks and low shoes, very dusty. 

ESSIE — (Age twenty). Very plain house dress with white 
apron and cap. 

JOHN GRAY— Dark suit. 

DORA — (Age forty), large woman, gingham dress, apron, cap. 

BENTLEY — (Age twenty-one), tall, broad shoulders, nice look- 
ing, very countryfied; very bashful, sun burned, large straw 
hat, overalls, too short, faded blue shirt, low shoes, 
bright colored socks to be worn in first act.- To be worn 
in last act — modern sack suit, white shirt diamond stud, 
looking the prosperous young man. 

LEONARD — (Age twenty-five), small dudish fellow wearing 
eye glass, m.odern sack suit. 



PROPERTIES 

Telegram — for Brown. Little old fashion trunk for Brown 
and Bentley to carry. 

Leonard — suit case. 

White — N^xspapers, cigars, letters. 

Baltin — walking cane. 

Bentley — milk pail. 

Peggy — Basket full of eggs. 

Nancy — pitcher, six glasses, lemonade, plate of cookies to 
serve for society; six pieces of sewing for Smithville ladies. 
Eye glass, Avhistle. 



ACT 1 

SCENE—IN SMITHVILLE. 

The Brown's sitting room— Little stand stable with lamp and 
large low rocker, six straight chairs, upright piano to left of 
the room and old fashion dresser, old fashion lace curtains, and 
rag carpet. 

As curtain rises, Nancy is sitting in low rocker knitting 
with glasses on, dressed very plain; looks up as Brown ente*rs — 
all excitement. 

Enters Brown — with a telegram at C. 

Brown: "Guess who's coming Nancy! jest read what that 
says! (Brown hands telegram to Nancy.) (Nancy puts on 
glasses straight and reads.) 

Nancy: "Why hits brother Jim's gal; she'll be in on the 
noon train. Better to get Joe to go and meet her." 

Brown: "Oh no Nancy, I'll go 'cause the boy'll be bashful to 
go and meet Jim's gal. her bein' frum the city. I got old Tobe 
hitched to the wagin'. I low she'll bring a trunk along, don't 
you Nancy?" 

Nancy: "Yes, course she will; why, her paw's rich an' 
she's go^ lots live clothes." 

Brown: '"Well mother, you be fixin' some dinner while I'm 
gone." 

Exit Brown to C (all excitement.) 

Enters Bentley L. 

Nancy: "Joe, Zebe Just got a telegram frum my brother 
Jim frum Memphis tellin' us his Peggy will be on the noon 
train." 

Bentley: ''How old is she mammy?" 

Nancy: "Oh yes I guess she's nigh on seventeen." (Shakes 
finger at Joe.) 

Nancy: "Don't you be fallin' in love with her Joe." 

Bently: "No danger Mammy Brown. I low she won't even 
notice a poor orphant boy like me." 

Nancy: "Now Joe, don't talk like that, me an Zeb have 
tried to be mammy an' pappy to you, same as ef you wuz our 
own child. Course she'll notice you. I don't believe brother 
Jim md raise a stuck up gal." 

(Bently goes over to Nancy, pats her lovingly on shoulder.) 

(They liear Erown and Peggy coming.) 

(Bently slips out of room, too bashful to meet the girl from 
I he city.) 

(Nancy runs to door to meet them.) 

(Enters Brown and Peggy. Nancy and Peggy kiss, then 



Nancy holds Peggy out at arms' length.) 

Nancy: "You look jist like your paw child." 
(Nancy turns to find Joe gone calls in a loud voice.) 
Nancy: "Joe, oh Joe! come here." 

Enters Bently very awkward and bashful and is introduced 
to Peggy. 

Nancy: "Peggy this is Joe Bently the boy me and Zeb 
raised, and Joe you know this is Peggy White brother Jim's gal.'' 
Brown: "Come on Joe an' hep me with the trunks." 
Exit — Brown and Bently C.) 
(Nancy turns to Peggy.) 

Nancy: "Now you jist take off your hat and make your- 
self tuh home while I go an' fix up a bite of dinner." Exit 
Nancy, R. 

Peggy takes off her hat, lays it on the table, and looks 
around, amused at her surroundings. (She smiles). 

Peggy: "Isn't this a quaint little cot1:age? and wasn't that 
bashful young man. Aunt Nancy called Joe too funny for any 
thing? (laughs). Wouldn't Burt laugh it he could see me? The 
last thing he said when he told me good bye, was for me not 
to fall in love with the country boys. (Throws head back and 
laughs). Me fall in love with a country boy! Me! Jim White's 
daughter of Memphis! Oh Burt, there is no danger, if Joe is a 
fair sample (turns to piano). Why, this is a new one. Wonder 
who plays it?" 

Enters Bently, R: "Mammy Brown said come and wash, 
dinner's ready." 

(Exit, Bently and Peggy R). 

(Enters Nancy to R) with a basket of sewing in a bustle 
of excitement.) 

Nancy: ''I hope Peggy'll wake up soon cause the societies 
goin' to meet — hit's time fur the wimmin to be here now." (Sits 
down in rocker). (Some one knocks Nancy goes to door.) 

Eners C, Ellen Jones and Jennie Tate, with a piece of sew- 
ing in their hands. 

Nancy: "Why howdy-do Ellen! an' how be you Miss Tate?" 
(Both ladies seat themselves.) 

(Nnocks on door Nancy goes to the door.) 
(Enters Polly Springer, Symanthy Higgins, Sister Perkins, 
Nancy seats them and then turns to all of the ladies.) 

Nancy: "Oh, I've got a sprize fur ye all. My niece frum 
Memphis is here. She's alseep but guess she'll wake up and 
come in afore you leave." 

(Ladies all try to sew, but make no headway as their curi- 



osity is aroused they all look to L and watch for the entrance 
of the girl from the city.) 

(Enters Peggy, L. dressed in fine evening dress suitable 
only for the city. 

Nancy: "Peggy this here is Miss Ellin Jones Miss Jennie 
Tate, Mrs. Higgins. Polly Springer, and Sister- Perkins." (Ladies 
all bow.) 

Nancy: "I want ye to play an sing fur us. Peggy." 'Turns 
to ladies). 

Nancy: It ain't often us wimrain in Smithville git to hear 
a body from the city sing." 

(Peggy goes to p^ano, seats her self, plays and sings "I'm 
Longing for You". She has a trained voice. The Smithville wo- 
men don't understand nor appreciate her singing. They drop 
their sewing and stare at her dumbfounded. (^¥hen song is 
finished she goes to right, seats herself.) 

(Nancy turns to Ellin Jones and asks her to play.) 

Nancy: "You play Ellin? 

(Ellin goes to piano, seats her self and plays and sings in a 
cracked voice, "When You and I Were Young Maggie." (The 
ladies faces looked bright again). 

Nancy: "Ladies me and Peggy'll get the lemonade and 
cookies." 

(Exit Nancy and Peggy to R.) 

Sister Smith: "Did ye ever hear sich singing?" 

"Why she must have thought she wuz a pitchin' her voice 
on top uve them tall buildings in the city, frut^i the way she 
wuz a hollerin'." 

Symanthy Higgins: I never knowed no more when she wuz 
through than at first." 

Siste. '.'/"s: 'We wimmin ain't used to no sich new 
fangled singin' no how." 

Jennie Tate: "Now there's Ellin, Miss Peggy ort to take 
lessons frum her, but my (throws hands up in horror) I don't 
like Miss Peggy's new fangle singin' ". 

(Enters R.) Peggy and Nancy pass around the lemonade in 
glasses and Peggy passes the plate of cookies. 

(Enters Brown. Rushes in bareheaded yelling to Nancy.) 

Brown: ''What in the world is all that noise Nancy? I'll be 
gol darned, old dobins run off with the plov/. She run clean to 
th furside uve the field afore Joe could ketch her. I left Joe 
settin' astride the fence laughin' like his sides would bust. I'll 
bejiggered I never seed nothin' to laff at. Why ole woman, when 
I cum through the barn yard all of the chickens wuz skeered to 
death. Dad blast it, Nancy, tell me what caused all that racket?" 



(The Smithville ladies all look with accusing eyes at 
Peggy.) 

(Peggy begins to understand that it was her singing that 
caused the confusion.) 

Peggy: "Oh Uncle Zebe, it must have been my singing that 
caused all this trouble.'' 

Smithville ladies all speak at once: "I know hit wuz'nt 
Ellin." 

Peggy: "I'll promise I won't sing any more while I'm here." 

Brown: "Now, now! Peggy don't you be a feelin' bad. You 
can sing but don't sing so loud, 'cause the stock round here ain't 
use to no sich high pitchin' voices." 

Peggy: "All right Uncle Zeb." (Peggy turns to all of the 
ladies.) 

Peggy: Excuse me ladies and I'll go out to the barn yard 
with Uncle Zeb — then you ladies can enjoy yourselves in your 
OWN WAY." 

(Exit Brown and Peggy C.) 

GNancy turns to ladies.) 

Nancy : "We'll meet at your house next time Ellin and maybe 
git more sewing done than we did to-day." 

(Enters Zeb C) — all excitement. 

Zeb: "Come quick Nancy all the old setting hens have 
quit their nest, come hep me git 'em back agin?'' 

Exit Nancy O in lead followed by Ellen, Jennie, Polly, Sa- 
manthy, Sister Perkins), the ladies all grab their sewing and 
rush out after Nancy. 



SECOND SCENE— ACT 1. 

Garden scene with rustic bench. Enter Joe and Peggy 
with her hair down in curls, sun bonnet hanging to. her neck. 
Dressed in large gingham apron and carrying a basket of eggs, 
Joe carrying a pail of milk. They come in talking, sit down on 
bench, place the basket and pail down on the ground at their 
feet. 

Peggy: "I've been here two whole weeks and 1 have had the 
best time. Oh! I never knew what country life was, I love to 
gather the eggs and watch you milk old Bossy. I don't feel like 
I shall ever want to go back to the city again." 

Bentley: "I'm glad you like the country, but Miss Peggy 
I git tired of this life, I long to go where I can do something and 
learn. I ain't got no learnin' and I want it so bad, now more 
'an I ever did. I'de like to go out in the world and git rich like 
your Pa did, then I would have a chance to win the girl I love, 

8 



but now 1 lowe it is too late, tor somebody elsill git iier afore 
1 — I make, even make, a start, but if I knowed she'd wait I' 'ed 
work my finger nails off or make a man she would be proud uve, 
but Miss Peggy I'm afraid I'de never make her know how well 
I love her, don't you see?" 

Peggy: "Oh I don't know Joe her love might be as true as 
yours." 

(Enter to C Leonard with suit case.) (Peggy looks up with 
a start, then goes to meet her city sweetheart.) 

(Bentley throws back his head and waits to meet Peggy's 
city fellow.) 

Peggy: "Mr. Bentley meet my friend Mr. Leonard.'' (Men 
bow very cool). Exit Bently, as he goes out picks up basket 
and milk pail. 

Leonard: "Sweetheart I knew you'd be tired of this little 
old burg, so I came lo take you home with me. (He tries to take 
her in his arms.) 

(Peggy draws back from him with a cool answer.) 

Peggy: "Why Bert I'm not going home with you, I just 
love this little old burg as you call it, it's people and their good 
old country ways." 

Leonard: "You don't mean to tell me you like this place, 
and these outlandish people? Peggy have you fallen in love witli 
that green country boy?" 

Peggy in anger: "Hush Bert, don't you dare make fun of 
.Joe, for he is worth a hundred like you. Joe is a man, and what 
are you? What are you? I love his honest, upright ways, 
there is true manhood in him. He is good looking and if dressed 
up nice he would make you look like fifteen cents." 

Leonard: "So he has dared to make love to you. He wants 
your money?" 

Peggy: "No he has not asked me to marry him for he knows 
that I am engaged to you and he is too much of a gentleman 
but I know he loves me, therefore I can never marry you. I will 
propose to .Toe before I'll lose him, for I love him, if he is poor." 

Leonard, in anger: "We'll see what your father has to say 
about this. He'll never consent for you marrying such a low 
country hand. (Picks up suit case to leave) "I'll go back to th<^ 
city and when you get over this country dream you can send for 
me, FOR PEGGY I CAN'T GIVE YOU UP. 

(Exit Leonard C). 

(Enters Bentley R.) "Where's your friend Miss Peggy.'* 

(Peggy tosses her head and laughs). "Oh I sent him where 
he belongs, I broke my engagement. I just cannot love him. If 
he has got lots of money. I love someone else. 



(Joe looking very doleful) : "I — I hope you'll be happy, 
Peggy." 

(Peggy goes up close to Joe and looks up into his eyes): 
"Why don't you ask who the lucky fellow is who has WON 
MY GREAT BIG HEART?" 

(Bentley's face lights up.) 

Peggy: "Oh! you great big goose are you blind? Can't you 
see I love you Joe? You my country Joe. (Joe clasps her in his 
arms saying:) "Oh Peggy, my Peggy, do you love me?" 

"Osin it be true you love a poor boy like me?" (They sit 
down on bench, Joe talking) "You'll never be sorry love, 'cause 
I'm goin' to leave Smithville and when I come back for you, you 
won't be ashamed of your country Joe. You'll wait for me, 
won't you Peggy?'' 

Peggy: "Oh, yes, yes Joe, I'll wait for you." 

Bentley: "But what will your father say? I lowe he 
won't give in for you to marry me." 

Peggy: "I kno.w he won't now. but he cannot make me 
marry Mr. Leonard. I'll be true and wait for you; then when 
you make a lot of money, dad will let me marry jou. It's the 
money that dad loves, but I hate it. I'd marry you right now 
but I love you too well. I know you crave to go out in the world 
and make something. So if I were to marry you I'd only be a 
stone around you neck, for dad wouldn't give me a penny, so Joe 
its best to wait." (Bentley takes Peggy in his arms.j 

Bentley: "Yes sweetheart we must wait, I wouldn't marry 
you as poor as I am now. I'll sell my piano, Pappy Brown gave 
me and then I'll have money to start on." They both sing: "I 
have Money for Two Months Rent." 

(Enters L. Nancy and Brown talking.) 

Brown: "Here Nancy is a letter from Memphis, guess hits 
frum Jim." (Nancy opens letter and reads aloud): 
Dear Sister Nancy: 

"Peggy has made you a long visit and I'm lonely vdthout her, 
and want her to come home. Nancy, can't you come with her? It 
has been a long time since we were together and then you 
would enjoy the city, so come." 

"Your loving Brother Jim. 

Brown: "Now's your time Nancy you can go with Peggy 
and when you get homesick I'll come and bring you home, I can 
git Ellin to tend to the things with Joe's help." 

Nancy: "Old man I alius have wanted to go to the city and 
see them tall buildings you told me about and thars brother 
Jim, I hain't seed him since he wuz eighteen. You know he left 
home and landed in Memphis and got rich and has been thar 

10 



evere since. And oh, Zeb I can git to go to the big circus." 

(Enter whole company, who sing with Zeb and Nancy) 
•Everybody's Happy on Circus Day." 
(Exit all but Nancy and Zebe.) 

Brown: "Wa'll ole woman you better be apackin' your 
trunk cause Peggy's agoin' early in the morning." 
(Exit Brown to L). 

(Enters Brown and sings a raggy song). 
(Exit Brown L.) 

(Enters L, Joe, Zebe, Nancy, she turns to Joe.) 
Nancy: "'Now Joe be sure an strip ole Boss cause Ellin 
won't make no butter eff you don't git the strippings cause I 
promised Symanthy Higgins some butter, an you watch ole speck, 
she'll hatch in nine days an when Symanthy Higgins comes over 
tell Ellin to let her have two pounds o' butter an that settin' uve 
eggs I promised her." 

Bentley: "Alright mammy I'll tell her.'' 

(Nancy turns to Brown to give a few directions) { "An Zebe 
don't furgit to slop the sow an pigs, an you — " 

Brown: "Now Nancy I'll tend to them things, you hurry 
up an git on your riggin, hits most time fur the train to come." 
(Exit Nancy, Brown, Bentley.) 

(Enter Brown and Bentley C earring Nancy's little trunk, 
Nancy close on behind dressed in dark plain dress wearing little 
bonnet covered with bright flowers, Peggy in her neat fine suit 
and hat to match. Brown and Bentley sit the trunk close to C. 
(Brown and Nancy go to L of stage to talk). Peggy and Joe to 
R of stage. Joe steals a kiss while the old couples backs are 
turned.) 

Brown: "Now Nancy don't you be lettin' 'em put you to sleep 
up stairs, cause eff the house ketches afire I won't be thar to git 
you out.'' 

Nancy: "All right ole man." 

(Exit Brown: Nancy, Joe, Peggy. (Brown an Bentley carry- 
ing Nancy's trunk.) 

CURTAIN. 



ACT 11.— SCENE 11 

JIM WHITE'S LIBRARY— Library table, chairs, White read- 
ing a paper and smoking, pictures on walls, bell on table to ring. 
(Enter Butler C— hands White a card.) 
(White reads the card, nods for Butler to bring him in.) 
(Enter Butler and Leonard.) 
Exit Butler.) 
(White gets up goes to meet his caller, shakes hands.) 

11 



White: "Why I thought you were in Smithville.'' 

Leonard, in anger: "In Smithville, you played the devil, when 
you let Peggy go there, she's gone crazy over a common farm 
hand, that Joe fellow that your brother-in-law raised, and she 
has thrown ME over for that thing." 

White, in anger: "What, Bert this can not be true; Peggy 
my proud peggy in love with a poor man. Oh! I can not believe 
it." (White begins to smile). "Bert she was only testing your 
love for her, you know what a tease our Peggy is." 

Leonard: "Oh! no Mr. White she meant every word, she 
went so far as to tell me she loved this low farm hand, but that 
he hadn't asked her to marry him. But of course the fellow 
will for he wants her money. She even went so far as to say 
before she would loose him she would do the proposing herself. 
What do you think of your proud Peggy now?" 

White: "Wait 'till she comes, I'm expecting her home, her 
aunt is coming, you rest easy, I'll fix things for you; Why she'll 
marry you alright. If she won't and marries that fellow Joe, I'll 
cut her off without a penny, and Peggy could never be happy 
in poverty." 

(Leonard sits down, leaning over, has head in hands and is 
feeling blue) White slaps Leonard on shoulder and laughs). 
White: "Peggy the little tease is only trying to see if you really 
love her, (laughs), she's a case." 

Exit Leonard and Wliite C.) 

(Enter White, Nancy, Peggy.) 

White: "Well Nancy your face brings back olden times. Of 
course you are older but you look so much like our mother.'' 

Nancy: "You look younger than I thought you'd be, an you 
are the very spit uve papy." 

White: "I think I look verp much like father's picture. I 
look young because city life agrees with me, Nancy." 

(Peggy rings for maid.) 

(Enters Essie the maid R). 

Peggy: "Essie show aunt Nancy her room.'' 

(Exit Nancy. Essie R.) 

White: (turns to Peggy) "I say Peggy that was a good joke 
you played on Bert at Smithville." 

Peggy: "What joke dad." 

W^hite: "Making him believe you were going to throw him 
over for that farm hand Joe, at Nancy's." 

(Peggy looks up defiant and knows the storm is coming). 

Peggy: "It was no joke dad, I meant every word I said, 1 
don't love Bert and I can never marry him, but I do love Joe and 
we're going to marry some day." 

12 



White: (thunders out). "What, you, my daughter, who was 
reared in luxury to stand there and tell me, your father, that you 
intend to marry a low farm hand, Peggy are you crazy?" 

Peggy: (trys to explain) "Oh listen dad, Joe's noi: a low 
farm hand, he's just a poor unfortunate fellow, who has never had 
a chance in this world he's going out into the world now to rnakp 
a fortune like you dad, then he is going to ask you for your 
daughter." 

White: (thr/)ws head back and laughs) "So you re silly 
enough to believe that. Well daughter when he has made as 
much money as I HAVE, then he can have you. Peggy, I wouldn't 
wait I 'd take Bert for he has plenty, and I'm afraid this country 
hero of yours will turn out to be only a summer dream." 

(Peggy smiles): '"We'll see." 

(Exit Father and daughter.) 

Enter Nancy and Peggy, with toothpick in months) been to 
supper. 

Peggy is dressed in fine house dress, Nancy in plain dress 
with white apron.) 

Peggy: "Aunty are you sleepy? do you want to retire?'' 

Nancy: "Yes I be, but I want to sleep down stairs, I'm 
skeered to sleep up stairs." 

Peggy: "Why aunty your room joins mine and if you want 
me you can call." 

Nancy: "That aint it, I'm arskeered uve fires and if the 
house ketches afire Zebe aint here to git me out.'' 

Peggy: "Oh we'd get you out alright." 

(Nancy shakes her head): "No you wouldn't, Peggy call the 
woman whut cooks your viteles." 

Peggy: "Why aunt Nancy don't you like her cooking?'' 

Nancy: "Yes btit call her." 

(Exit Peggy R.) 
(Enter Peggy and Dora.) 

(Nancy runs and shakes hands with Dora and asks to sleep 
with her.) 

Nancy: "Can I sleep with you, I'm skeered to sleep up 
stairs, and I promised Zebe the last afore I left I would'nt, and 
I haint." 

(Peggy throws up hands in horror rhen she sees how bad 
Xancy feels so she agrees.) 

Peggy: "Well Dora I guess she can sleep with you and 
stay in her room in the day time.*' 

(Exit Dora, Nancy, Peggy, R.) 

(Zebe or Joe can sing.L). Exit singer .L). 

(Nancy, Peggy R. Dressed to go shopping, Nancy has on 

ir. 



black silk dress, very old style, little bonnet covered with 
flowers, Peggy is dresed in pretty street dres and hat.) 

Peggy: "Is that the best dress you have, aunt Nancy?" 

(Nancy with pride): 'Ain't this good enough, why hits most 
new. I ain't never wore hit morn three or four time, and I jist had 
hit ten yer's. Zebe bought hit when he cum to Memphis an' 
brung hit hom to me, hits the only silk dress I ever had. I've 
been awful pertickler to sun hit, often, (she gets up and struts 
around with pride). Oh ,yes, Peggy hits most new. Don't you 
like the fit? Symanthy Higgins made hit, you just orter seed the 
folks at Smithville stare at me the fust time I wore hit ter 
meeting. Hit wuz'nt jist the right to war but I wuz so projid I 
wanted everybody to know I had it." 

Peggy: Well aunty, I guess it will do, but it is awfully out 
of style (smiles). I am going to buy you some nice stylish 
clothes, then you can give that dress to the cook.'' 

(Exit Nancy, Peggy C.) 

(Enter Erown C telecope grip.) They tole me Nancy an 
Peggy wuz a shoppin', I hope they won't be long, cause I'm a 
gettin' lonesome to see my ole woman. Since Joe left it air 
awful quiet, at home, I'll stay about a week then guess Nancy'll 
be ready to go home, I left Jim Higgins to tend to things." 

(Enter Nancy C, dressed in a new fine black silk dress full 
skirt, extra short, high heel shoes, silk hose, small stylish hat. 
Nancy walks in hardly knowing how to manage her high heel 
shoes.) 

Nancy: "Oh Zebe when did you come?'' 

(Brown backs off in horror at Nancy's riggin.) 

Brown: "Is that you Nancy? You aint my Smithville Nancy. 
Where did ye git that riggin'? Why I can see your stockings 
wife, and you've pulled off your yarn uns. Oh, Nancy you'll die, 
why did I let you come to the city, take that short dress off 
right this minute, or you an me'll part, and put your yarn stock- 
ings on do you hear me Nancy." 

Nancy: "Oh, aint you going to kiss me Zebe. It ain't my 
fault, Peggy rigged me up, in the store, and I knowed I wuz a 
sight but law ole man I never knowed you wuz here." 

Nancy goes up to Brown, puts up her face to be kissed. 
Brown holds himself off at arms length and bends over and 
kisses her.) 

Nancy: (Flops herself down in a chair). "Oh, I'm tired to 
death. Why the fust thing me and Peggy wuz awalkin' down 
the street and I wuz a liikin' at thim tall buildings. Why Zebe, 
they wuz jist like you sed, they wuz, I had to throw my head 
back on my shoulders to see, I couldn't walk and look to so I 
stopped, soze I could look good. What do you think? One uve 

14 



them Policemen ups and sez he, "Move on Madam?'' Well says 
I, "Can't a body stop an look at the tall buildings? that's one 
uve the sights I come to see." "No Madam'' sez he. Well the 
very I'dee, sez I, why in Smithville you can stand in front uve 
the bank buildin' an' look eze long eze you want to an not- a 
soul would dare to tell a body to move on, I moved on, and 
caught up witii Peggy, her face wuz jist eze red, Sez I "be your 
face blistered? jlst use some cows cream on hit, hit'll be well 
in the mornin.' " Well we went in one uve them big dry good 
stores. Peggy wanted to buy her a cheap little hat. But law 
Zebe she coulda bought her a half a dozin in Smithville fer ten 
dollars. I told her she ort to buy all her hats there hited pay her. 
She jist kinder smiled." 

Brown: "Well Nancy, did ye git to see a circus?'' 
Nancy: "No Peggy sed she'd take me but she kept puttin" 
me off.'' 

Brown: "Did you git to ride in an automobile?" 
Nancy: "You jist wait Zebe I'm a comin' to that. Well, 
when we started to go down them stairs Peggy said. Auntie 
we'll go down the elevator; Lord Zebe I never wuz so skeered, 
we walked in a cage like thing, they shut the door, the floor 
begin to drap in, I just grabbed Peggy around the waist an 
yelled, Oh lordy! Oh lordy! be it an earth quake jist save me 
and I will never leave Zebe and Smithville again. Peggy tried 
to tell me somethin' but law I wuz so skeered I didn't know 
nothin' till that drap in floor stopped. Peggy sez she, we're aV 
right now. I seed I wuz'nt hurt so I moved on, then Jim wuz 
a waitin' out side with his automobile fur us. I shore wuz glad, 
he made thta car go so fast I jist looked at the tall building's 
all I wanted to, cause I knowed that policeman couldn't say 
move on cause we wuz a movin'. I lost my tuckin' comb, and 
pity nigh all of my hair pins. M^ell Zebe I'm awful hungry, less 
go and git dinner, don't you hope they'd have corn bread and 
greens. 

(Exit Nancy and Brown to R.) 
(Enters Peggy): "I bought aunt Nancy some stylish clothes 
and hope, I can get her to wear them while she is with us. Her 
things are so outlandish. They didn't look so bad in Smithville 
but here. Oh! my how the people stare at her. It was too 
funny for anything when I told her I would buy her a cap, she 
flared up and said now Peggy I know I'm old but I aint agoin' to 
wear a cap like Granma Jones, I finely made her understand 
that every one wears caps now adays. Bless her dear old 
heart. If I had'nt had a dear old aunt Nancy, I never would 

15 



have met Joe. I ought to get a letter from him 1 thought I 
heard the postman whistle. 

(Enters Nancy C.) 

Nancy: "Here's a letter for you Peggy, guess hits from 
Joe".'' 

(Peggy runs eagerly to Nancy, takes the letter snd reads to 
herself). 

Nancy: "Well what does he say?" 

Peggy: "Oh he said he is working at two dollars a day and 
studying at night so he can learn to write nice letters to me 
that I won't be ashamed of and sends his love to mammy an 
pappy Brown.'' 

(Exit Nancy R.) 

(Peggy kisses Joe's letter so poorly written crying.) 

Peggy: Oh! Joe, I love you, I love you, I know you will learn 
and make a man that dad will be proud to call son, but Joe I get 
so blue waiting for you. 

Peggy sings, ''I'm a feelin' Blue.") 

Enter Nancy, R: ''Why Peggy whut you singin' sich a blue 
song for, ye ain't feelin' blue for Joe air ye?" 

(Peggy begins to cry.) 

Peggy: "Yes, auntie I'm thinking it will be a long, — long 
time before I see him again, he is only getting two dollars aday 
and it will take a long time before he'll be as rich as dad 
at that rate." 

(Nancy pats Peggy on shoulder.) 

Nancy: "Don't you cry honey maybe Joe'll strike some- 
thin' rich an come home soon, 'cause that boys got it in him to 
make money. Why at home he bought ole Boss fer twenty- 
dollars and sold her heifer calf fer thirty five. Now warn't that 
makin' money?" (Peggy smiles.) 

Peggy: "Yes I know auntie if Joe only had half a chance 
he'd make good. Well auntie I'm going out this evening, you 
won't be lonely will you." 

Nancy: "No, no, you go on. I'll be alright, guess Zeb'll be 
back soon." 

(Exit Peggy, L.) 

(Nancy talking to herself): 

Nancy: "Poor Peggy I feel so sorry fer her. Her paw 
don't want her and Joe ter marry. He wants her to marry that 
little fellow, bet he ain't got strength to milk a cow, looks, like 
abanty rooster. Iwouldn't give Joe fer a hole barn yard full 
like him. It makes me feel blue to see Joe, I do hope he'll make 
lots uve money. But law I'm skeered he'll never make enuff 
to be buyin' her sich fine hats. May be she'll take ter gittin' em 

16 



at Smithville. eff «he an Joe gits married. I'm a gittin' lone- 
some believe I'll go an git Dora to come an set with me awhile." 

(Exit Nancy R.) Dressed in her old fashion silk dress, 

(Enters Peggy L dressed to go calling, calls in ioud voice). 

Peggy: "Aunt Nancy, Oh, aunt Nancy." 

Essie: "Miss Peggy your aunt is in the kitchen, I over-heard 
her asking Dora to come and sit with her while you were gone.' 

Peggy: "Essie go tell aunt Nancy to come here at once." 

(Exit, Essie R.> 

(Enter Nancy. R.) 

Peggy: "What have you been doing aunt Nancy?" 

Nancy: "Why I've been askin Dora to come and sit awhile 
with me." 

Peggy: "You can not have the cook in your room. Why 
aunt Nancy all the servants will talk." 

(Nancy bristles up looks over her glasses at Peggy.) 

Nancy: "Well the idee uve folks bein' so stuck up tliey 
cain't associate with a body right under their own roof. Now 
Peggy don't say a word me an Zebe's goin' home, whar abody 
knows how to treat folks. 

Peggy: "Now auntie don't get angry, let me explain." 

(Exit Nancy. L, in a flurry.) 

(Enter. White. L). 

White: "What's the matter with Nancy?" 

Peggy: "Oh daddy I made her mad, because I told her she 
could not have the cook in her room to sit with her." 

Enter Nancy and Zebe. They are wearing their Smithville 
clothes, and carrying Nancy's little old trunk between them. 
Zebe is carrying his old grip. Zebe glares at White and Peggy.) 

Zebe: "Come on Nancy, we'll go back home whar they know 
how to treat folks. ('While Zebe is talking.) 

Enter Essie, Dora, John Grey, all throw up hands in horror 
at the hasty departure of the old couple. 

CURTAIN 



ACT III— SCENE — 

(Same Library as in Act II five years later. Been two years 
since Peggy has heard from Joe. Her father has destroyed all 
Joe's letters for two years. He has kept all Nancy's letters from 
Peggy for fear she would hear from Joe. White is in financial 
trouble and is trying to get Peggy to marry Col. Baltin, as he 
liolds papers over White. White looks care-worn.) 

(Peggy is sitting looking at Joe's picture and has one of his 
old letters in her hand. She shakes her head saying.) 

17 



Peggy: "It lias been five long years since Jeo left, and 
too years since I had a line from him. Oh, Joe! Joe! can it be 
that you have ceased to love me, and you've married some one 
else? All these long years I've been true to you, but now Joe, if 
you only were here, I can not hold out much longer. Dad wants 
me to marry Col Baltin. Oh, what must I do. I cannot see poor 
dad ruined. Joe must either be dead or married or he would 
surely write." (shakes head.) 

(Enters Butler C. with Ool Baltin's card.) 
(Peggy reads card.) 
Peggy: "Yes I'll see him." 
(Exit Butler C.) 
(Enter Butler. Col. Baltin.) 
(Exit Butler C.) 

Col. goes up to Peggy tries to kiss her hand, Peggy puts 
both her hands behind her. 

Col. B: "Well my dear are you ready to give me my answer? 
(Peggy gives long drawn sigh as she gives him her answer.) 
Peggy: "Oh I guess it is yes? 

(Cbl starts to take Peggy in his arms but she shrinks back 
from him. Col. looks very much displeased.) 

Col. Baltin: "Well when shall the wedding take place? Next 
week Miss Peggy?'' 

(Peggy shrinking back and cries out.) 

Peggy: "Oh no, no! Col. Baltin I must have time, give me 
three months to get ready." 

Col. Baltin: ''Miss Peggy three months is a long time. Will 
it take that long to get your wedding finery ready." 

Peggy: "Yes it will take that long to get ready. Col. Baltin.'' 
Col. Baltin: "Good bye my dear." 
(Exit Col. Baltin. C) 
(Peggy begins to cry). 

Peggy: Oh Joe! Joe! only three short months of freedom. 
Will you come? If you fail me my love, I'll — I'll have to sell my 
self to save poor old dad. Oh daddy it is for your sake, but I'd 
rather be dead." 

Enters White L, looking old and care worn.) 
White: "For two years I've had the Butler to hold out 
Peggy's letters to Joe, and his to her. Sister Nancy's too, I 
dared not let her hear from her aunt for fear Nancy would send 
Peggy some news of Bentley. Oh, My child if your lover was 
only rich, you could be happy and save your poor dad. But my 
little Peggy you will have to marry Col. Baltin and save me. 
Col. Baltin just told me that Peggy had promised to marry him 
in three months. Oh, My God, this awful suspense. I cannot 
stand it much longer." 

18 



(Enters Butler. R. with Peggy's letter to Joe. Butler goes 
up to White gives him Peggy's letter to Joe.) 

(Exit Butler R.) 

White: "Now I must destroy this it must never reach Bent- 
ley, or all will be lost, my child must never know.'' 

(Exit White . C.) 

SCENE- III ACT 

White's Library, three months later, Peggy's wedding morn. 
Butler gets a letter from Nancy Brown to Peggy, he knows that' 
White is destroying Peggy's letters and he feels sorry for his 
young mistress, and slips the letter to her.) 

(Enters Peggy L, feeling very blue as this is her wedding day. 
She seats herself at table.) 

(Enter Butler. Looks all around to see that Mr. White is 
out of sight then hurries across the room gives the letter to 
Peggy). Butler in a whisper. Here Miss Peggy is a letter, maybe 
it has some good news in it for you my little missy?" 

(Exit Butler). (He hurries out of room afraid to be caught 
giving the letter to Peggy.) 

Peggy: "This is my last day of freedom. Oh! how can 1 
stand it. (Looks at letter). Why this is from Smithville, wonder 
why aunt Nancy has been so long in writing to me? ( Opens letter 
reads, her face lights up with joy, Peggy reads letter aloud.) 
My Dear Niece Peggy: 

You never could guess the good news I'm about 
to rite you, Joe's on his way home, he's geen sick 
a long time an then he couldn't hear from you, so got 
on easy an has started home, he said he aint heerd 
frum you in along time an he wanted to know eff you 
an' thet little fellow Leonard wuz married. Eff ye aint 

Yer uncle sends his love an me to, 
Peggy, wait fer Joe. 

Your AUNT NANCY. 
(Peggy looks around and looks so happy.) 
Peggy: ''Oh dear Lord you've answered my prayer. Oh, 
Joe, they tried to make me think you were false, but now I know 
"you've been true, and my own love Pll be waiting for you. This 
is my wedding day; but there w'ill be no wedding here to day. 
Sweetheart — We've been parted by fate but its never to late, so 
I'll just wait and see what fate will bring to me." 

(Peggy sings: "It Was Evening in the Twilight." Joe 
comes in just as she finishes chorus and last verse, he stands G 
and listens when she finishes song, he goes and clasps her in 
his arms. 

(Joe is dressed up looking very prosperous.) 
Enter Bentley: "Oh, my precious Peggy, fate has brought 

19 



me back to you: (kisses her then holds her off at arms length 
and looks at her saying). "What is this they tell me? that 
this is. your wedding eve, you're about to be married to a Col. 
Baltin? Is this true Peggy?" 

Peggy: "Yes Joe, this was to have been my wedding day, but. 
I received a letter from Aunt Nancy, telling me that you was on 
your way home, you had been unable to get any news from me, 
and was coming to see what was the matter. Then Joe I knew 
you still loved me, and was still single.'' 

Bentley: "And you never loved this man you were about 
to wed?" 

Peggy: ''Oh, no! no! I was being forced into this marriage to 

save my father from ruin. Joe for the three months I've tried 

to hear from you, but no answer ever came, so what was I to 

think? It has been two long years since I had a line from you." 

(Eentley puts his arm around Peggy.) 

Bentley: "Poor little sweetheart. And you never received, 
not one of my letters that I have written in two years? But 
thank God I'm here Peggy, and we'll never be parted again, for it 
seems I'm just in time to save you; and your poor father. I was 
up against it for a long time, but luck changed. Then my part- 
ner died and left all he had. So I have come to claim my own. 
'Tis now I can face your father and ask for you. 
(Enter White. Col Baltin. C.) 

(Col B. starts towards Joe, for he sees Bentley has his arm 
around Peggy, but Joe puts Col. B aside.) 

Bentley: "Gentlemen listen I want a word with both of 
you: Peggy belongs to me. Col. Baltin you have tried to 
get her by foul means. And you Mr. White tried to part us, but 
I'm a rich man now, you remember what you told her five years 
ago, that when I came to you a rich man, then I could claim 
your daughter. Now Mr. White I ask you will you give Peggy 
to me? I'll save you, and claim Peggy as my own. 

White: "Yes! Yes! take her for you can make her happy 
for she loves you." 

Bentley: "Col. Baltin, we'll excuse you, for we have no fur- 
ther use for YOU." (Exit Col. Baltin, C.) 

While: "Oh, my boy can you forgive an old man? I kept your 
letters from Peggy, and hers from you, for I knew that if she 
could not hear from you she would marry the Col. and I thought 
that you were poor. I was in such financial trouble, and I could 
not face the ruin. I had only my child to save me, but thank 
God you're here to save us both. 

Bentley: ''Darling it's good to be back in dear old Tennessee, 
with you again. Come we'll sing that new song: 

"Way Back in Dean Old Tennessee." 
(Enter all, join in chorus.) CURTAIN 

20 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 198 592 4 



